L-citrulline is a non-essential amino acid, meaning that it is made in the body. It is produced in the liver and intestines, either from L-arginine or L-glutamine. When deciding between L-citrulline supplements and L-arginine supplements, it is better to choose L-citrulline because it is more effective at increasing blood arginine levels. This is because L-arginine supplements are not as efficiently absorbed as L-citrulline and are quickly removed from the body due to the activity of arginase in the gut.

L-citrulline is one of the three amino acids in the urea cycle. This is a process that converts a toxic compound called ammonia into urea, which is then eliminated from the body through urine.

These are the top 6 benefits of using a supplement that contains L-Citrulline:

1. L-citrulline can increase exercise capacity

It has been shown in several research studies that healthy adults who started taking L-citrulline saw an increase in exercise capacity. This is due to its ability to utilize your oxygen better which boosts your workout and endurance ability.

2. It increases blood flow

Nitric oxide plays an important role in regulating blood flow. Since higher levels of L-Citrulline have been shown to increase Nitric Oxide levels, we see a positive correlation between L-Citrulline and the increase of blood flow throughout the body.

3. L-Citrulline decreases blood pressure

We live in a time of information overload and a constant state of “being busy” which many people perceive as “stress”. When we get in these states of stress, we breathe shallow, which results in our pressure going up and our bodies getting tense. Over time, this becomes our new normal and we live with our blood pressure consistently sky-high.

Many studies have shown that L-citrulline helps decrease high blood pressure and increase nitric oxide levels. Nitric oxide causes blood vessels to dilate, which lowers blood pressure. In turn, the blood pressure will decrease. This is especially important because people who appear healthy and fit on the outside are often experiencing higher blood pressures.

4. Improved cardiac function and erectile dysfunction

There have been direct links that show L-citrulline improves the function of both the right and left ventricles as well as endothelial function. We also see an improvement in erectile dysfunction due to the increase in blood and oxygen utilization.

5. Enhanced cognition & brain performance

The most common killer of cells is a lack of oxygen in our bodies. As previously mentioned, L-Citrulline helps utilize and maximize oxygen and blood flow throughout our bodies. When we are utilizing more oxygen, our cognitive function goes up and our brains perform at a higher level.

6. Boosts immunity

L-citrulline supplementation has been linked to the ability to fight infection by boosting our immune system and allowing our bodies to help fight foreign invaders naturally.

Interested in trying this health booster? Order our STAMINA product, formulated by Balance Docs, with the main ingredient being L-citrulline. This product will help your muscle strength, heart health, production of important enzymes, and increase arginine levels. Use stamina to increase sexual stamina and blood flow for better sexual performance, function and desire!

Your Ultimate Guide to Bioidentical Hormone Pellets: The Benefits & Indications
Bioidentical hormone pellets have been used with great success in the U.S., Europe, and Australia since 1938. In fact, pellet implants were a very popular mode of hormone administration in the U.S. until the 1970s, when many oral and topical commercial products were developed. While the demand for pellets diminished in the U.S., pellet implants continued to be a very popular mode of hormone administration throughout Europe and Australia. In the last 10 years, due to advances made in processes and a better under-standing of the benefits of pellet implants for hormone replacement, this mode of hormone therapy has grown in popularity in the U.S.

70+ years of research has illustrated the benefits of bioidentical hormone pellet implants in both women and men. Pellet implants deliver consistent, physiologic levels of hormones. Pellet dosing is individualized and calculated for each person for optimal results. Pellet implants bypass the liver and don’t negatively impact clotting factors, blood pressure, lipid levels, glucose, or liver function.

Pellet implants have consistently been shown to improve:​

Energy

Weight loss

Muscle Building

Endurance

Cardiovascular Health and Heart Protection

Sex Drive

Libido

Sexual Function (which is often significantly increased in both men and women)

​

Bio-identical Hormone Pellet Therapy Effectiveness
Data supports that hormone replacement therapy with pellet implants is the most effective and the most bio-identical method to deliver hormones in both men and women. Implants, placed under the skin, consistently improve hormonal imbalance by releasing small, physiologic doses of hormones and providing optimal therapy.

What are Pellets?
Fused pellet implants are compounded using biologically identical hormones. The hormones are pressed / fused into very small cylinders. Pellets are made up of either estradiol or testosterone and sometimes DHEA, Progesterone and Pregnenalone. The hormones are pressed or fused into very small solid cylinders. These pellets are larger than a grain of rice and smaller than a ‘Tic Tac’. In the United States, the majority of pellets are made by compounding pharmacists and delivered in sterile glass vials. There is a ‘FDA approved’ 75 mg testosterone pellet (often used in urology offices.) Currently Stanford Urology center uses testosterone implants.

Why Pellets?
Pellets deliver consistent, healthy levels of hormones for 3-5 months in women and 4-6 months in men. They avoid the fluctuations, or ups and downs, of hormone levels seen with every other method of delivery. Estrogen delivered by subcutaneous pellets, maintains the normal ratio of estradiol to estrone. This is important for optimal health and disease prevention. Pellets do not increase the risk of blood clots like conventional or synthetic hormone replacement therapy.

In studies, when compared to conventional hormone replacement therapy, pellets have been shown to be superior for relief of menopausal symptoms, maintenance of bone density, restoration of sleep patterns, and improvement in sex drive, libido, sexual response and performance. Testosterone delivered by a pellet implant, has been used to treat migraine and menstrual headaches. It also helps with vaginal dryness, incontinence, urinary urgency and frequency. In both men and women, testosterone has been shown to increase energy, relieve depression, increase sense of well-being, relieve anxiety and improve memory and concentration. Testosterone, delivered by pellet implant, increases lean body mass (muscle strength, bone density) and decreases fat mass. Men and women need adequate levels of testosterone for optimal mental and physical health and for the prevention of chronic illnesses like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, which are associated with low testosterone levels.

Even patients who have failed other types of hormone therapy have a very high success rate with pellets. There is no other ‘method of hormone delivery’ that is as convenient for the patient as the implants. Pellets have been used in both men and women since the late 1930’s. There is a significant amount of data to support the delivery method of pellet implants.

How and where are pellets inserted?
Pellet insertion is a relatively simple in-office procedure done with local anesthesia. The pellets are inserted subcutaneously (under the fatty lining of skin), in the upper buttocks through a very small incision (the size of an eraser head). The incision is then closed with sterile-tape strips. Typically, patients cannot feel the implants under their skin. Implants placed under the skin consistently release small, physiologic doses of hormones, which have been shown to have many benefits.

How do the pellets work?
Hormone pellets release hormones based on cardiac output. When the heart rate rises the hormones are released into circulation via capillaries that form around the pellets. When the heart rate rises with stress, movement, or exercise, hormones are released in greater quantity, providing greater support for what you are doing or experiencing. When the heart rate is lower with sleep, and rest, less hormone is released, which provides good sleep and calmness. This is one of the greatest benefits of the hormone pellets, is that not only are they giving you more help when you need it but also the right amount of hormone, instead of what most people do – which is forgetting to take the hormone daily, taking the same dose daily even if you need more with stress, and then often not absorbing other methods of hormone therapy.

What are the side effects or complications of pellets?
Complications from the insertion of pellets include; minor bleeding, bruising, or infection at the insertion site (infection is extremely rare). Testosterone stimulates the bone marrow and increases the production of red blood cells. A low testosterone level in older men is a cause of anemia. Testosterone, delivered by implants or other methods, can cause an elevation in the red blood cells. After the insertion of the implants, vigorous physical activity is avoided for 48 hours in women and up to 5 days in men.

Do men need hormone therapy?
Testosterone levels begin to decline in men beginning in their early 30’s. Most men maintain adequate levels of testosterone into their mid 40’s to mid 50’s, some into their late 70’s to early 80’s. Men should be tested when they begin to show signs of testosterone deficiency. Even men in their 30’s can be testosterone deficient and show signs of bone loss, fatigue, depression, erectile dysfunction, difficulty sleeping, body pain, mental decline, irritability, weight gain, and hair loss. Most men need to be tested around 50 years of age. Men can enjoy the benefits of testosterone therapy most of their lives.

Known as the “sunshine vitamin”, vitamin D is crucial to keeping us healthy and feeling good. It is fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in very few foods – including some fish, fish liver oils, and egg yolks – and in fortified dairy and grain products.

Since it is found in very few foods, it is difficult to rely solely on our diet to fulfill our body’s need for vitamin D. It is also produced by the body in response to skin being exposed to sunlight- in short, when ultraviolet rays contact the skin, vitamin D synthesis occurs. Depending on where you live or your particular job or lifestyle, vitamin D production could be decreasing, or even absent, during certain months of the year. What’s even more interesting is that sunscreen, while extremely important in keeping us youthful and protecting our skin, can also decrease vitamin D production.

Unfortunately, many people today are getting much less vitamin D than they need and it is having negative consequences on their health. For this reason, we have seen an increase in the use of Vitamin D supplements, and for good reason!

Why do we need Vitamin D?

Basically, without vitamin D, the bones become brittle, very soft, and fragile. This happens because our bodies need vitamin D to absorb calcium and promote bone growth. What’s even more concerning is that Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to all of the following (and more):

-Breast cancer

-Colon cancer

-Prostate cancer

-Weight Gain

-Heart disease

-Depression

-Osteomalacia

-Rickets

-Decreased Cognitive Health

Now that we’ve seen why vitamin D deficiency is so important to avoid, lets take a look at all the wonderful things vitamin D can do for us and how we can incorporate this vitamin into our life!

Benefits of Vitamin D:

1. Regulates Phosphorus & Calcium Absorption

Perhaps the most vital benefit of vitamin D is its ability to regulate the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in our bodies. This is crucial for our body to facilitate a normal immune system function. Getting a sufficient amount of vitamin D is important for normal growth and development of bones and teeth, as well as maintaining our bones health and strength. If we can keep our bones healthy we can avoid many chronic diseases processes that stem from the bones.

2. Increases Our Ability To Fight Disease:

Vitamin D may also play a role in the immune system. The immune system is your body’s defense system to ward off unwanted disease processes. It helps protect it against infections and other illnesses. Studies have also shown that it can help prevent you from getting the flu, decrease chances of developing heart disease, and may also play a role in reducing your risk of multiple sclerosis, as shown in a study by the Journal of American Medical Association.

3. Blocks Parathyroid Hormone- Helps Maintain Our Bone Strength

Vitamin D plays a role in blocking the release of parathyroid hormone – keeping this hormone in check and balanced is crucial for our health and wellness. When parathyroid hormone levels run too high, this hormone reabsorbs bone tissue, which makes bones thin and brittle. The parathyroid glands are part of our endocrine system, located in the neck. Their role is to secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates calcium and phosphate, which in return regulate PTH. Having good vitamin D levels help the body be able to help absorb calcium and also keeps the PTH levels in check.

4. Reduce Symptoms Or Feelings Of Depression

Research has shown that vitamin D plays a part in controlling mood and also helping lower feelings of depression. Scientists have found that increasing vitamin D decreased feelings of depression, and that people reported a noticeable improvement in their symptoms and overall sense of well-being.

How can I get more Vitamin D?

As we learned above, there is a very limited number of foods that contain vitamin D. Therefore, getting enough vitamin D from your diet alone is difficult. While sun exposure does produce vitamin D, too much sun exposure is not good for our health. Therefore, the addition of vitamin D supplements is commonly needed in many people. What’s even better? Many studies have shown a link between taking a daily vitamin D supplement and an increase in weight loss, which can be accredited to its ability to suppress our appetite.

Just like diet – what is the best diet? The one you will stick to (that is based on mostly plants and whole foods).

Especially if you did not grow up doing sports or being active, you NEED to find a form of exercise or movement that you enjoy and will maintain long term!

This is one of the 3 main reasons high school/college athletes often struggle with weight gain after they graduate.

They don’t learn ‘how’ to exercise for life long health instead of solely for sports performance.

They continue to eat as if they are practicing 5 days a week.

They are used to a “team” atmosphere and find solo exercise less fun.

If you can relate to some of these reasons above, we can help. If you miss your “team” or accountability buddies, find new ones! Try a different gym or work out class.

After I quit college softball, I found CrossFit and I gained a whole new family that encouraged me to be strong and healthy. But it doesn’t have to be CrossFit, it can be a Zumba, jazzercise, water aerobics, weight lifting, walking club, or a neighbor you see walking their dog around the same time as you each day.

And if you don’t have an athletic background, it is never too late to start! Try a class or a new hobby, horseback riding, hiking, snowshoeing, swimming, rock climbing, barre3, or yoga.

The possibilities are endless! You just need to take the first step!

If you would like some help or community resources to improve your fitness, contact your Nutrition & Fitness Advisor and we would be happy to help you find your new hobby!

I know. I get it. I am generally a pretty good water drinker BUT sometimes we just need to mix it up! Here are some great options for you to “mix up” your daily hydration routine:

Hot Drinks:

Tea

Almond milk

Coconut milk

Oat milk

Soy milk (if tolerated)

My most recent Starbucks order: Hot almond milk, with extra cinnamon, chocolate, and a little nutmeg powder. And it was tasty, warm, and cost less than $3! Now that is a sustainable ‘coffee’ habit! Use the Starbucks app to find our nutrient information. This will help you watch out for hidden sugar! For example, I was considering a Match tea but then I saw the 25g+ of carbs and knew it was going to contain some kind of sweetener or syrup.

You can also make a delicious hot drink at home!

I love to make my own hot chocolate using coconut or almond milk, organic cacao and or chocolate protein powder.

Hot Cacao:

Start by warming up your choice of milk, whisk in 1 Tb of organic cacao powder. Add a few drops of stevia is needed.

To make a “meal in a mug”: consider adding a scoop of gelatin or collagen peptides for protein and ½ tsp of coconut oil or MCT oil for some long-lasting energy.

Are you craving some sweet citrus on a hot day?

When playing with your own healthy drink recipes, stevia drops can be used to sweeten some drinks, but I challenge you to still decrease the amount (3 down to 2 drops). As you change your eating habits, your taste buds will change and your reference for “sweet” will change as well.

Did you recently go Gluten free?

Don’t worry you can still enjoy some gluten free ciders when you are craving that ‘cold one’.

Or wanting some wine to unwind? Choose red over white for more of antioxidant punch! I hope this helps adds to your new and improved healthy lifestyle!

If it can’t be eliminated, then think of ways to create an outlet for that stress…. see above example of exercise!

SLEEP:

Getting enough sleep each night allows you to recover and perform better during the day. Make bedtime a routine, get to bed on time, wind down at night, make your room conducive to good quality sleep – dark room, cool temperature, no electronics 2 hours before bed, etc.

Social/relationships:

A part of creating that dream life might be having more friends or spending more time with loved ones. It might include finding a significant other if you don’t have one now. Those are all good goals! However, like other goals, you have to take steps to achieve it! That means meeting more people, say yes to hanging out with friends, host a few parties a year, use a dating app whether that be for finding more friends or more. Take action to change that aspect of your life.

With all these examples, and we could of course list more, pick 3 things to work on this week. Write them down and schedule them – DAY and TIME! Put them in your calendar and make it happen. Once those 3 new habits become routine – meaning you don’t have to think about them, pick 3 more to incorporate, etc. Keep this pattern going until before you know it those few baby steps add up to creating the dream picture in your head.

Don’t forget to reward yourself along the way! These are a few of my favorite (non-food based) ways to reward myself for hitting one of my short-term goals.

Next you have to track your progress. I like to do this with a journal. You don’t have to make long entries just get something on paper every now and then. This will help you take stock and reflect on your journey. You can also record multiple measurements of progress with journal entries from body weight, digestive symptoms as they appear and resolve, energy levels, attitude, mood, self-confidence, pictures, work out times or weights, and much more. You can also record times when you think you have ‘failed’ and learn from those experiences. You can read your own words and remember how it felt when you made that ‘less than optimal’ choice last time.

Last, but not least, write what you are grateful for. Whether you are thrilled with your progress or frustrated during a plateau there is ALWAYS something for which you can be grateful!

Why Seeds?

Seeds are rich in nutrients and have many health benefits. These small but mighty kernels are high in vitamins and minerals the body needs to function at peak performance. Seeds are extremely versatile and can be incorporated easily into a variety of different recipes. Need more energy? Want a slimmer waist? There’s a seed for that!

Chia Seeds

Chia has come a long way since it first sprouted out of funny pottery in TV commercials. These tiny seeds pack in 10 grams of fiber in a 2-tablespoon serving. They also contain proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and minerals like: iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc.

Chia seeds are easy to add to your favorite dishes. Sprinkle them ground or whole onto cereal, vegetables, or yogurt. Soak them in water to add to cooked cereal, or find a recipe for chia pudding as a healthy and tasty dessert.

Wild Rice

Wild rice is actually a seed – a grass seed. It’s higher in protein than most other whole grains and contains 30 times more antioxidants than white rice. Wild rice is a good source of fiber, and nutrients such as: folate, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, vitamin B6, and niacin.

A 2009 study in China found that wild rice might be effective in lowering cholesterol and other fats in the blood. Wild rice is extremely versatile and can be substituted for white rice in any dish. It can also be a healthy addition to a salad or soup.

Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are a tasty snack that boast 16% of your daily iron needs in just ¼ cup. That same ¼ cup will also get you 5 grams of fiber, which is more than most nuts. In addition, pumpkin seeds are a good source of amino acids, protein, and omega-3s, as well as minerals such as zinc and magnesium.

Fresh roasted pumpkin seeds – a Halloween favorite – are an excellent snack, but you can enjoy them year-round sprinkled on oatmeal, baked into muffins, mixed into smoothies, or added to homemade granola and energy bars.

Pomegranate Seeds

Pomegranate seeds are small red “jewels” called arils. These arils have lots of fiber and 40% of your daily requirement of vitamin C. They also contain heart-healthy antioxidants called polyphenols, including: flavonoids, tannins, and anthocyanins.

Pomegranate seeds make a sweet and juicy low-calorie snack. Try them tossed in salads, mixed into yogurt, or made into jelly.

Quinoa

Quinoa has a remarkably high protein content (15%, or 8 grams per cup), along with amino acids, and vitamin E. It also contains an antioxidant called quercetin. This nutty-flavored seed can be substituted in grain dishes in place of rice or pasta. Quinoa also makes a healthy gluten-free breading, and can be eaten for breakfast instead of oatmeal.

Flax Seeds

Flaxseed is packed with nutrients. Just two tablespoons of flaxseed contains 6 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein. It is also rich in alpha-linolenic acid, a type of omega-3 fatty acid. Some studies suggest flaxseed consumption helps improve cardiovascular health. Flaxseed also contains lignans, which may help protect the body from cancer.

Adding flaxseed to your diet is easy. Bake it into muffins. Mix it in salads, yogurt, smoothies, cereal, and soups. Ground flaxseed can even be used as an egg substitute.

Hemp Seeds

Hemp seeds are an excellent source of heart-healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. They pack in 10 grams of easily digested protein into just 2 tablespoons. Hemp seeds have a mild, nutty flavor. They can be eaten on their own, added to salads, or on top of yogurt. Hemp milk is a good alternative to dairy milk.

Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds are high in healthy fats, as well as: proteins, fiber, phytochemicals, selenium, copper, and magnesium. According to the USDA, sunflower seeds are “the richest source of vitamin E.” Aside from salad toppings, you can add sunflower seeds to muffins or bread recipes, in vegetable dishes or stir-fry, into trail mixes, and in cereals or yogurt. Try crushed sunflower seeds as a tasty gluten-free coating for fish or chicken.

Sesame Seeds

Despite their tiny size, sesame seeds contain up to 20% protein and lots of fiber. They are rich in the amino acids tryptophan and methionine. Sesame oil is a good choice for salad dressings as it is rich in linoleic and oleic acids, which have a cholesterol-lowering effect. Tahini (ground sesame seeds) is a main ingredient in hummus, and can also serve as a nut-free substitute for those with food allergies. Sprinkle sesame seeds on salads or stir-fry dishes for an added crunch.

“A dream written down with a date becomes a goal. A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan. A plan backed by action makes your dreams come true.” – Greg S. Reid

Let’s make 2019 the year you achieve those health and fitness goals!

Your New Year’s resolutions may seem like the same ones year after year that you never achieve, but let’s put an end to that.

Today we are going to make a PLAN to achieve your dreams.

“A dream written down with a date becomes a goal. A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan. A plan backed by action makes your dreams come true.”

Picture your dream life in your head. Got that picture? When do you want to achieve this dream lifestyle or at least to achieve a significant step towards that ultimate dream life? These dreams & goals can be anything from a few months to years away, but just write them down with the date.

I will give you a few examples:

Increasing your self-confidence and esteem through better body composition. *notice the simple goal here isn’t just ‘weight loss’. It is specific to the reason why you want to lose weight.

You could also say to improve my health and decrease my risk factors to developing T2D or heart disease if your doctors has told you that your lab test are showing you have a higher risk. This goal will likely INCLUDE losing some weight in the process of getting healthier.

Now let’s make those goals into SMART goals.

Attached to this blog is a SMART goals worksheet. Download this PDF and follow along to create your plan to make your dream a reality.

Achievable: Is achieving this goal realistic with effort and commitment? What resources will be required for this goal and how will you obtain them?

This goal and date of 6 months is very realistic. Six months to achieve 15 lbs of weight loss equates to 2.5 lbs lost per month, less than a pound a week. This will allow me to maintain as much muscles as possible and it will not require a severe calorie deficit making it much less stressful on my body in the long run.

Relevant: Why is this goal significant to your life? Why do you seek this goal?

Working in the nutrition and fitness industry I want to experience what it is like to put myself through a more rigors weight loss journey, while improving my self-confidence, aesthetics, and CF performance.

Timely: When will you achieve this goal?

I will achieve this goal by mid-July in 2019.

Why is this goal important to you?

This goal is important to me because I have struggled to lose that “last 5-10lbs”. I would like to see what I look like around 130lbs marker while maintaining my muscle mass with strength training.

Your body is full of trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi. They are collectively known as the microbiome.

While some bacteria are associated with disease, others are extremely important for your immune system, heart, weight and many other aspects of health.

As you grow, your gut microbiome begins to diversify, meaning it starts to contain many different types of microbial species. Higher microbiome diversity is considered good for your health.

Interestingly, the food you eat affects the diversity of your gut bacteria.

Upset stomach, craving foods high in sugar, lots of weight fluctuations, sleep disturbances and chronic fatigue, skin irritation, and autoimmune conditions can all be signs that you may need to be spending more time improving your gut health.

Here are some easy ways to make your gut a little healthier:

Sleep

Poor quality of sleep or not enough sleep can have serious impacts on your gut health, which can contribute to more sleep issues. A good rule is 7-8 hours a sleep a night, or something that makes you feel good. If you have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep but don’t want to take any prescription sleep medications, an all-natural supplement called “SLEEP”, formulated by BalanceDocs, is a perfect option to give you that undisturbed rest you desire without the hangover feeling after

Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water has been shown to have a beneficial effect on the mucosal lining of the intestines, as well as on the balance of good bacteria in the gut. Staying hydrated is the simplest and most important way to increase your gut health. Looking for an extra way to get your weekly hydration in? Try an IV infusion with vitamins, you will never feel better!

Change your Diet

Diet is a huge factor when it comes to the health of our gut. When we eat poorly, we notice our weight changes, our clothes don’t fit as well, and our energy is lower. We rarely think about the consequences our gut and digestive health is experiencing. Eliminating processed, high-sugar, and high-fat foods that you eat can contribute to better gut health. Also, eating plenty of plant-based foods and lean protein can positively impact your gut. Another important factor is increasing the amount of fiber in your diet!

Manage your stress

Stress: a culprit and root cause of so many disease and illness. Evaluate any disease process in the world and stress will be one of the top ten contributing factors in almost every single one of them. Ironically, it is one of the areas people tend to ignore the most – thinking that if they can work on all the other areas of their life enough, stress won’t get them! Unfortunately, it does, and it will. Stress affects nearly every system in our body, including your gut. If you are looking to lower your stress, experiment with meditation, walking, getting a massage, spending time with friends or family, diffusing essential oils, decreasing caffeine intake, laughing, yoga, or having a pet.

Take a probiotic

Adding a probiotic supplement to your diet may be a great way to improve your gut health. Not all probiotic supplements are high quality or will actually provide benefit. It’s best to consult your healthcare provider when choosing a probiotic or prebiotic supplement to ensure the best health benefit. Our top pick is the Integrative Therapeutics Probiotic Pearls.

Type 2 diabetes can affect all people, regardless of age. Early symptoms of type 2 diabetes may be missed, so those affected may not even know they have the condition. An estimated one out of every three people within the early stages of type 2 diabetes are not aware they have it. A common misconception is that to have type 2 diabetes one must appear clinically obese. Although it is true that the majority of people with type 2 diabetes people have excess weight, often they may not appear obese or of major medical concern. Since there is no standard definition for “healthy looking”, they may not look extremely overweight, but any excess weight, especially around the stomach, is a risk factor. Age is huge risk factor as well, since the older we get the more at risk we are for developing type 2 diabetes.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes interferes with the body’s ability to metabolize carbohydrates for energy, leading to high levels of blood sugar. These chronically high blood sugar levels increase a person’s risk of developing serious health problems. If you have excess weight around the middle, it is important to see a provider and get your blood sugar tested – even if you don’t associate with being “unhealthy” and you feel okay. Type 2 diabetes can be life-threatening. However, if treated carefully, it can be managed or even REVERSED. The key is to catch it as early as possible and start managing it with lifestyle modifications and medication.

What are the complications?

There are many dangerous potential consequences of high blood sugar, and often the issue goes unregulated for many years before the patient is seen by a provider or has their blood sugar tested. Many times, these consequences listed below begin before a patient is ever officially diagnosed.

Nerve problems

Vision loss

Joint deformities

Cardiovascular disease

Diabetic coma (life-threatening)

Other diabetes complications listed below

Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms (just a few):

Frequent Urination

When there is excess sugar present in the blood, as with type 2 diabetes, the kidneys react by flushing it out of the blood and into the urine. The result is more urine production (and the need to urinate more frequently!) as well as an increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in men and women. People with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to get a UTI as people without the disease, and the risk is higher in women than in men.

If you notice you have to go to the bathroom more often than you used to — including perhaps needing to get up every couple of hours during the night to urinate — and you seem to be producing more urine when you do go, talk to your doctor about whether you could have type 2 diabetes.

Thirst

Although people with type 2 diabetes may not have specific or obvious symptoms, an increase in thirst is one symptom that is characteristic of the condition.

The thirst comes from the frequent urination which causes you to lose a lot of fluid and become dehydrated. Consequently, you develop a dry mouth and feel thirsty more often. If you notice that you are drinking more than usual, or that your mouth often feels dry and you feel thirsty more often, these could be signs of type 2 diabetes. Many other medications also cause dry mouth and can raise your blood sugar levels. If you are noticing you are thirstier than usual it is a good idea to detect the cause.

Being Hungry – ALL THE TIME!

People with type 2 diabetes (diagnosed, or who have it but haven’t been officially diagnosed) have what is called “insulin resistance”, which means the body cannot use insulin properly to help glucose get into the cells.

The fact is you can’t “feel” insulin resistance, it is a process happening at the cellular level – similar to the fact that you can’t “feel” that you have high blood pressure without actually taking your blood pressure and looking at the numbers, because it is measuring the pressure of blood against your arteries. This is very different than catching the flu, felling your pulse and knowing your heart is beating fast, or knowing you are gaining weight by seeing your body change in the mirror. There are certain health problems that can occur in the body, of which we do not feel the physical effects until many years later – when our organs and tissues are affected by the damage.

In people with type 2 diabetes, insulin doesn’t work well in muscle, fat, and other tissues, so your pancreas (the organ that makes insulin) starts to secrete much more of it to compensate. This insulin level sends signals to the brain that your body is hungry.

Vision Changes

The lens of the eye is a flexible membrane suspended by muscles that change the shape of the lens to focus the eye. In a high-sugar environment, such as with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, the lens’s ability to bend is altered. Although the lens is not damaged, the muscles of the eye have to work harder to focus.

Blurred vision occurs when there are rapid changes in blood sugar — from low to high or high to low — to which the eye muscles have not yet adapted. This is one of the early warning signs of type 2 diabetes. The body later adapts to the sugar levels, and your vision will go back to normal (at least for a little while).

Frequent UTI’s & Infections

Both yeast and bacteria proliferate more quickly when blood sugar levels are elevated. Women with diabetes or prediabetes will experience, and are at greater risk of, feminine health issues like such as bacterial infections, yeast infections, and vaginal thrush – especially when blood sugar isn’t well controlled. Plus, a lack of awareness about having prediabetes or diabetes can make managing blood sugar impossible.

Problems with Your Feet- Pain, Numbness, Tingling

Over time, a prolonged exposure to high blood sugar can damage the nerves throughout the body — a condition called “diabetic neuropathy”. Some people may not experience symptoms of the damage, while others may notice numbness, tingling, or pain in the extremities. It is most common in people who have had type 2 diabetes for 25 years or more, and it can occur in people who have prediabetes as well.